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to give prudence to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the young man:

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These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
    knowledge and discernment to the young.

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21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
    Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 so they will be life to your soul,
    and grace for your neck.
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
    Your foot won’t stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
    Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
    neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;
26 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
    and will keep your foot from being taken.

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21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

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Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction.
    Pay attention and know understanding;
for I give you sound learning.
    Don’t forsake my law.
For I was a son to my father,
    tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
He taught me, and said to me:
    “Let your heart retain my words.
    Keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom.
    Get understanding.
    Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you.
    Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is supreme.
    Get wisdom.
    Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

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A Father’s Wise Advice

My children,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Pay attention and learn good judgment,
for I am giving you good guidance.
    Don’t turn away from my instructions.
For I, too, was once my father’s son,
    tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
    Follow my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
    Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
    Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
    And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Hebrew My sons.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
    Turn your ear to my understanding,
that you may maintain discretion,
    that your lips may preserve knowledge.

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Avoid Immoral Women

My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
    listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Then you will show discernment,
    and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

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Wisdom has built her house.
    She has carved out her seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat.
    She has mixed her wine.
    She has also set her table.
She has sent out her maidens.
    She cries from the highest places of the city:
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
“Come, eat some of my bread,
    Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
Leave your simple ways, and live.
    Walk in the way of understanding.”

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Wisdom has built her house;
    she has carved its seven columns.
She has prepared a great banquet,
    mixed the wines, and set the table.
She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
    She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
“Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
    To those who lack good judgment, she says,
“Come, eat my food,
    and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
    learn to use good judgment.”

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10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
    The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

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10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

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The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

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The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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15 A simple man believes everything,
    but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

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15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
    The prudent carefully consider their steps.

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The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
    and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

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Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
    but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

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A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
    but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

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A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
    The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

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23 Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
    Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

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23 Get the truth and never sell it;
    also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

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12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge;
    but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

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12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
    The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

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